Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra: What’s happening next?

Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2014/2015 season ended with James Sommerville in Concert on May 23. The performance was a farewell to seven-season HPO music director, Sommerville, and had devoted concert-goers eager for the start of next season in September under the leadership of new director, Gemma New.

Hamilton Place was filled with an older crowd ready to see the closing show, with young couples scattered throughout. The optional (but free) hour-long talk prior to the show had Sommerville chatting with a much sparser crowd, explaining the instruments and background of the composers and pieces, an added bonus for dedicated music enthusiasts who appreciated the context and viewers who had some extra time before the show.

Conductor and horn soloist, Sommerville has had a successful 30-year career. He is Principal Horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, winner of the Munich, Toulon, and CBC competitions, and JUNO Award winner for Best Classical Recording in Canada for his disc of the Mozart Horn Concertos, among other accomplishments.

28-year-old Gemma New will start the 2015/2016 season as HPO Music Director. The violinist from New Zealand became a professional conductor at only 19 years old. She is conducting a concert during the next season on February 6, 2016.

If you subscribe to the HPO’s 2015/2016 season by June 30, you’ll receive the “early-bird” discount (though discounts are surprisingly modest – a maximum of $16 savings), but you’ll know you have some great performances to look forward to.

The 9-concert package in section A is $482.40 if booked by June 30 (with a senior rate of $460.80); and the affordable price of $180 for section D ($166 for seniors). Seven, five, and three concert packages are also available.

2015-2016 HPO Series

Photo courtesy of HPO

September 19, 2015Opening Night: Chopin & Beethoven

October 17, 2015A Life in Song: Ian Thomas and the HPO

November 7, 2015In Remembrance: Songs of Courage and Honour

November 28, 2015Totally Mozart

December 19, 2015Home for the Holidays with the Canadian Brass

January 16, 2016An Evening at the Opera

February 6, 2016Gemma Conducts Shostakovich

March 12, 2016Cirque de la Symphonie

April 16, 2016Tchaikovsky’s Fourth

While the 2014/2015 season has ended, the HPO has organized other amazing events to keep music lovers satisfied in the interim.

In June, the HPO launches its Indie Series, a cross-genre series of classical and rock music that will bring members of the professional orchestra together with local artists. Each performance will include works by the local band reimagined for an orchestra ensemble and classical works performed with a rock twist inspired by the guest band. The Indie Series challenges the artists’ creativity in an attempt to create an innovative performance unique to Hamilton’s burgeoning art scene.

The first HPO Indie Series show is on Thursday, June 25 at 7:30 at Park St. Gasworks and features the electronic rock band, Illitry.

In addition to the Indie Series, HPO at the Library is a free series of talks at the Hamilton Public Library that will engage musicians and the community during lunch hour (12:45 to 1:30 pm on Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 6, and Nov 27).

To end the summer, the Seven Sundays series in Gage Park on August 16 is the annual outdoor summer performance by the HPO Brass Quintet who will perform heart-felt music under the stars.

Founded in 1884 as The Hamilton Orchestral Society, the HPO has been enriching Hamilton’s arts community and providing world-class music to viewers. Now, HPO events are appealing more than ever to a younger audience of Hamilton’s involved young professional community.

With the hpoGO program, people under 35 years old can purchase concert tickets for just $17 + HST for sections C or D.

In April, I attended Happy Hour with the HPO at the Baltimore House and was pleasantly surprised. The event paired cocktails with orchestral pieces in a comfortable space to socialize and enjoy.

It is gatherings like these that get me excited to attend more HPO events and hopefully start seeing crowds of young people out next season.

A night at the orchestra is as romantic as it sounds; it makes for a sophisticated evening of masterful music, a lovely night out with friends, and a perfect date night.